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UK5- NMS NEL Flow Programme (phase 1 interim contract)

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2026 at 10:38

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

20 Jul 2026 at 13:22

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "UK5- NMS NEL Flow Programme (phase 1 interim contract)" has been completed by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology. Situated in London, this central government authority has awarded the contract to the TUV SUD National Engineering Laboratory, a large supplier based in Glasgow. This procurement falls under the industry category of laboratory services and serves the purpose of supporting the digital economy through the development of measurement techniques for emerging technologies. The process utilised a direct award method due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, with key dates including the award date on 21 July 2026 and the contract period from 30 to 31 July 2026. The programme plays a crucial role in maintaining the UK's primary measurement standards, thus contributing to environmental sustainability, utility metering, and technological innovation.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies engaged in providing high-precision laboratory services and cutting-edge technological measurements. Given the direct award nature of the contract, it highlights opportunities for businesses proficient in specialised technical capabilities and possessing unique measurement expertise. While TUV SUD National Engineering Laboratory has been designated the current supplier due to its technical exclusivity, firms aiming to expand in the metrology sector may benefit from partnering or proposing complementary solutions that align with national measurement standards, thereby positioning themselves for future collaborations or tender processes in this vital scientific field.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK5- NMS NEL Flow Programme (phase 1 interim contract)

Notice Description

This is an interim contract to ensure continuity of NMS service delivery while Phase 2 contracts are finalised. Please refer to the original phase 1 notices: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062778-2026 Please refer to the phase 2 contract notices here: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022587-2026 The NMS labs support the digital economy by developing measurement techniques for emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), helping the UK stay at the forefront of technological innovation. Metrology labs contribute to environmental sustainability by providing accurate measurements for monitoring air and water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. This supports the UK's efforts to transition to clean energy sources and mitigate climate change. The TUV SUD National Engineering Laboratory (NEL) enables accurate and precise measurements of flow, such as of oil, water, and gas, through the maintenance and dissemination of the UK's primary measurement standards. This supports domestic and industrial utility metering, the roll-out of alternative fuels, and the development of carbon capture and storage, among other things. DSIT's National Measurement System underpins all science, technology and R&D activities in the UK. The extensive scientific and technical infrastructure, expertise, and resources necessary to provide these services mean that there is an absence of competition from other providers. The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: absence of competition for technical reasons. NMS contracts are therefore awarded directly.

Procurement Information

Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights Single supplier - technical reasons Direct award is justified through absence of competition due to exclusivity requirements and technical market constraints.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ceef
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068633-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,300,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
29 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TÜV SÜD NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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